DON"T READ THIS!!!

This story was made in late 2017. And I'm just putting this hear incase my cuputer get's messed up again. Plus the world this story takes place in will be used in later works, so it would suck to forget.

Any way, please don't keep going down.

The center of the large hut seemed to have a spell on it, one that kept it safe from the fighting beyond it's borders. Outside the drains and stones wear yelling, pointing, and kicking like just about any time they got near each other. But this time it was worse because (for the most part.) both of the hole families have came.

But the reasoning for them not getting any wear near the center of the hut was of Radburn being thair. Even if most of them didn't have the awareness to not fight specifically wean he said not to, they did however known if stay far away from him.

Radburn himself stood their throw out the fighting, he's lips parted with out him even realizing it. After quickly gathering himself he reached down to he's belt and pulled out a small dagger. The dagger was only used for decoraitons, and with it being so small Radburn's large hand could barely get a grip. Then Radburn removed he's left solder peace of armor (the armor itself was used for show.) and holding both items firmly, banged the dagger agents the shoulder five times. By the time he finished every one in the hut held thair hands over their ears, eyes shut. Radburn placed the items back in thair places. ''Ten minites.'' Radburn begain. ''Only ten minites till you started.''

No one dared to make any attempt at exsplaining themselves, they've tried that many times before. ''Is making a agreement that hard!?'' Radburn exsplaind. Radburn sedalded into a more cuntable standing posishion, untenshly making the crode aronde him fell more cuntable as well. ''I promise you if the fighting doesn't end I'll banish every last one of you from the clan.''

Men's eye brows nit thogther, thrones deepend. Women thought of wear their children could live outside of the clan. And any younger members grasped for any memorys of their parents telling them what the outside of the borders looked like. No one liked the iden of being in enimy tarritory.

''Dose it not bother you that none of your children can remember a time wear thair was no fighting?'' Radburn asked, then paulsed. ''The rest of the clan can't take any more fights. And I hate to do this but I can't enore them any more. One of the two familys will have to leave.''

Up to this point everyone had been as quite as a cat, but if they had been oil then Redburn words wear fire, because that's how long it toke the hut to light up with argement. Unlike before Redburn watched this time more like a parent beside he's child throwing a fet. Redburn done this anuff before to know that getting back thair attenshion was the most inportion thing, if he wanted no fighting. ''Hey! Calm down for just one secont!'' This did't really have the same affect as last time, most palsed but plenty of mermers could still be heard. ''I'm not stupid, if we try and come to a more sival agreement then you'll just start up agine in a few weeks.'' Redburn said.

A women wearing a rose dress thrusted her arm in the air and yelled. ''Your gonna let the stones stay just because thair native!'' A man next to her tried to pull her back, but by the time he did Redburn was already looking right at her. Calmly he said. ''No. The drains have just as much of a right to be hear as the stones.'' The women setalded back in the grope. ''I was thinking of having the rest of the clan vote, but! I belive the stones would have a unfare advantage.'' The crond talked to one aother quitely.

Redburn ternded he's head to the right wean a middle aged man steped out, he's hands behind he's back. ''I may have a good iden.'' The man started, Redburn gesterd for him to go on. ''Well I of all people know that things work diffrintly in Welnor then in Oursal. But have you ever heard of anything called the last sword?''

Redburn's eyebrows nit toghter, and he's hands tightend. ''Did't your family leave Oursal to escape the vilince? I don't apreshat rules like that being praticed in are clan.'' Redburn exsplained fermly. The man noded. ''I don't like it eather! But you have to agree that it's a pritty easy way to sedal it. Quit simpal wean you get down to it.'' The man toke a few more steps away from the groop behind him. Redburn thought he'd talked to him before but could't quite tell who he was. ''Anyone else have any other idens?'' The middle aged man asked but it was clear no one pland on specking up. Redburn losend he's tight grip on he's hands, he's face softend. ''Think of what the other clans will see. Thay'll say Welnor was becoming just like Oursal! And loseing suport from Clonth, or even worse Bass! Would make us a majer target for Oursal once more.'' Redburn plased looking down at he's boots.''Arowana already is't on good trems with us, I'de hate to push them any harder.'' He said this more or less to himself, but that did't change the fact that everyone in the room heard that last bet.

Almost on que right wean the middle aged man walked back, the same women who wear the rose dress steped out. Her husband behind her looking worryed for her. ''Parden me Redburn!'' Redburn turnded to the left and sall the women standing as tall as she could manige. ''Ah- I'm a drain, and I would just like to point out the fact that the stones have Penial. And he's stronger then any of are own.'' Right after she got done over hafe of the men who wear drains started yelling at her. But no stones would, silintly reveling in one of the drain's own “ameting” the fact.

Redburn looked for Penial (Remembering him well as the man who killed that Behemoth.) but could't find him, despite the fact that he's rather easy to pick out. Redburn did't know that Penial was already trying he's best to hide behind a large crode.

The middle aged man walked back out, looked agrvated. ''Your telling me you don't have a singal family member as strong as Penial!?'' A young man with dark brown hair stude up and yelled. ''I'll do it!'' Meny other men stude up willing to fight, but Redburn was uninpresd with any of them.''No, this plan is just too inmoral.'' Redburn said. The middle aged man thronded.''How about we keep the plan a secret? No other clans will have to know, and thay'll be no more fighting. Only one person will die.'' He finished. Redburn thought for a minite, then looked to the rest of the people in the hut.''I need time to think this over. We will have a aother meeting in a week. But don't count of me saying yes to that plan.'' Redburn finished. And everyone in the hut got ready for a battle.

Chapter two.  Electric boogaloo

The hole family was thair (The ones in Welnor that is.) wear right outside the large wood house wear around hafe of them lived. The gathering lacked the jokeing and laughing it would normaly bring. Barely any meals wear made, the only people who would smile was the children, And even they could feel that something bad was going to happen.

The youngist member who known what happened at the meeting with the clan's calrang, was Webic. Cerintly Webic was standing in front of a groop of about seven adults. ''I'm not lieing!'' He yelled, he's face turning red with anger. At this point no one found he's “joke” as funny as before. ''Just leave Webic. I can't take any more lieing today.'' He's grandmother wiended, looking about ready to cry. ''He's gonna send us back to Oursal! Redburn said he'd be far but let's be honist, he's flat out lieing!'' She cryed. The conplaint only maniging to make the others around her ether scard or angry. ''I heard about the last sword!'' Webic yelled. Instead of them now beliveing him like he intended, he found them glaring at him. ''You sould be with the other kids, not easdroping on others conversashions.'' A man said. Webic was about ready to exsploed wean right in the nick of time a man ran up, laying he's man on Webic's sholder. ''I told him that.'' Adriel said calmly. ''Goodness!'' Webic's grandmother cryed. ''I would never tell you that sort of things wean you wear 12!'' She finished. Adriel smiled. ''I understand wear your comeing from. But I think Webic has a right to know about this, he's old anuff.'' Adriel said, then walked off with Webic and led him to the back of the house.

Silver was hard to get wean not meny want to higher you. So just about every door in the house exsept the front one was nothing more then a thin cloth.

The strang thing about the house that some things like fericer, tools, and clothes wear old and graged. Out of the fact that no one could replace them. And some had been poorly mixed and sticked together. But then you'de find a well done painting in the hall, or a glass box with a small gold necklase inside.

Thies items wear so inportion to the drains, that wean thay escaped from Oursal, takeing them along too was not even in qeshtion. And selling the items, no matter how poor they wear was unthinkable.

Adriel sat on the edge of the home made wooden table. This was one of the far times he could do so without he's wife Talitha yelling at him. Webic was more content with standing next to him. ''You do know that I'm planing to be the one fighting, right?'' Adriel asked, looking down at Webic. ''I thought you would do that. ''Webic said, with a hint of pride. But then quitely add. ''What's mom gonna think about it?'' Adriel moved off the table and said. ''Oh, I'm positive that she's already gessed.'' Really Talitha was't nearly Adriel's bigist problum. To start, he's barely five feet. He'd never faught in any wars. (Wick for Welnor, was comon) And probably the bigist problum was the fact that the changes of he's family picking him wean he had a kid and a wife, wean plenty of other men did't was low. Adriel did't want he's family to leave Welnor. But he did't think that was the resoin he really wanted to fight.

Adriel tiyed the two ends of he's red cloch neer he's neck and toke ah step torge the door and it's cloth. ''And Webic, please don't tell your mom that I toke you to the meeting. She'd have my head.'' Then he left.

Chapter three.

Abital made sher wean left the workers's house to keep her work clothes on. She hated to do it, with it being so hot out. But it was end of seison. And that was wean Gith told her to meet him. And she did't need anyone reconizing her.

It could be hard finding wear Gith lived. Even if  she loved going thair wean she was young. Gith's house was in the middle of clan tarritory. And thanks to all the wars, bildings wear made closer and closer to the middle of tarritory, seeing anyone (who was't potroling) neer the borders was rare. Let alone a bilding!

Luckaly Abital was able to find it after aronde four mimtites of serching. Wick was a new record for her. Abital tried walking at a normal pace, but hideing her goffy grin was neer inposible. Abital neerly gasped wean the vary secont after she nocked the door swarved open and slamed the wall inside.

Gith's clothes hanged on him. he's short hair spralled in every deretion. Last of all griem and grass stuck to he's legs. ''Abital!'' He cryed. ''I've never been more thankful you always come hours to early!'' Gith toke Abital's hand and praticly draged her in. She could feal the dryed dart on he's hand. Abital smiled unsher. ''It's geart to see you too!... I'm gessing you haven't taken ah bath in a willy?'' Abital asked. Gith laughed (wick was more of a chofe.) like he had been wateing for her to say that. Then, as qiuckly as he laughted and smiled, he's face canged to consern. ''Ware wear you at yesterday night?'' He said egently. Abital thronded. ''I was't doing anything yesterday. The only people I spent time with wear the other womem workers.'' Her exspreshion tarnded into some fear. ''It's one of those drains stalking me?!'' Gith let go of her hand and shulk he's head like a mad man.''Oh no! Your fine, I promiss.'' Gith stratend up ah little strater. ''Thair was just a resint meeting with Redburn, and it got really bad.'' It was't hard for Abital to tell that he was holding up on something.''That sounds tarrible! Glad I was't thair.''

Abital removed her long, flopy sun hat, then smiled. ''But I did't come all the way hear so I could leasen about the dume things are family dose. I came to hear about the dume things you do!''

Penial stayed as far away from the crowd as he could manige. But with everyone talking about him, and saying thanks, or pating him on the sholder, it really was hard for him to do so. Thay're treating me like I already won! Penial thought.

For the first time seans the meeting two days ago, Penial smiled. Near the front door, leaning agenst the wall was Gith.

Wean Gith sall Penial comeing torge him, he froze. ''Afternoon...'' Gith muterd as Penial stond three feet away from him. ''Pleass follow me to the back of the house.'' Penial spoke quiteitly.

Penial did't like being out. The okes in the forist seemed to be packed tightly together, right outside he's aunt's home. Anyone could be right at the ege of the forist with out him knowing.

''I know you well anuff from wean you wear a boy, to understand that you want this just as much as me.'' Penial started, looking down at Gith. ''And I doute becoming a garde for the borders canged that at all.'' Penial never understuld why some one like Gith wanted to be a garde. He reminded Penial of he's grandfather, back wean he was a sheperd. ''Oh! Of couse I don't want you to fight!'' Gith yelled. Then he added.''And you probably don't eather!'' Penial noded. ''Gith. I hate to ask you this, but I was hopeing you and me could try to convince rest of the famliy.''Looked back at the forist, then back to Penial. ''How could I even help you?'' Gith asked, eyebrows crilded up. Still throning.

Penial was't pitklary surprised by the way Gith acted.''First off, one guy saying something is wrong won't get vary far. Second, I don't want them thinking I'm scard of a fight.'' Penial finished. Gith's exspreshion changed to ah more inecend curiosity.''But I thought you wear scard of fighting people before?'' He asked, remembering the meny times others asked Penial why he never joined any wars or battles anymore. Penial looked back to the forist, but he was't really worryed about anyone hearing him this time.''I'm not consernd with loseing to any drain. Honisty you'd think a family that came from a place like Oursal would have men that look like monsters!'' Gith laged nervisely. ''Yeah! I sopose thay've grown solf off of Redburn's kindness.'' Then Gith's smile fell agine. And he asked.''Then I can  hope you see how inmoral this is!'' Penial looked back, quitckly responding. ''Of couse!'' Penial pulled he's hands togerther in a pleding gester. ''So... Will you help me? Because the only other person who would be agenst this is Abital. And I have no iden what she's going.'' He said the last part somberly.

Like Penial before, Gith all the suden looked away. ''If you really need me, I will.'' Then Penial smiled.

Chapter four

Adriel was three seconts from biteing everyone's head off. ''Now don't take me wrong!'' Adriel's father added with speed. ''Tutering from a retiyerd clan garde from Arowana is vary inpresive. And your great at it! Better then I could ever do.'' Adriel's father (Rhin.) continuded with the coshion only a parent could have. ''That red head Penial, has to be at lest six feet. Your just not that tall.'' Rhin finished.

Any younge men that wanted to fight in the crond around Adriel, langhed. Ah great deal of tenshion washing off them as they did so. But to Adriel all of it washed on to him. ''I could beat any of you skinny lads!''

Now the tenshion fluded throw out the crond. Screems of anger comeing from every direshion. ''I have't seen you pick a fight with any Arowana!'' One man yelled londer then the others. ''Bet you'd shiverd at what you just said!'' Adriel shouted back. ''Bet you could't tough the top of my head!'' Ather man yelled from behind Adriel. Voices made way for ah young women's with a Arowana acsent. ''Coures he could. But as for your ego that may prove as a chalenge.''

At that ponit only two people wear not at the lest smileing. One, the man that just yelled at Adriel. And two, Adriel himself. He looked back to see he's wife Talitha staring right back at him. Adriel had a pritty good iden what she wanted. Most likely to stab him fourty times and dump he's body in the lake. But she had more self control then that.

The hole grope was spred out right at the end of thair plant fild. Any more to the right and they'd be standing on the dirt road. (Road would be a genrise trem, given that fact that it's more or less two harsh lines carved into the earth. Making the grass in the middle pop out like wild hair.)Adriel quitly walked out the cercle of family members along with Talitha. Then started up the mossy yelowish hill. ''I'de sould have gessed you'd want to go fight!'' Talitha scolded. ''Webic would do the same if he was't so young.'' Adriel skalded. ''Talitha! You've seen how I fight. And I know a great deal about how to fight someone biger then me.'' He finished this last part with pride. ''I was trainded by Felxse.'' Talitha thronded, the ends of her eyebrows criling up. ''Yeah, Penial knows how to fight something biger then him to. He killed a Behmoth Adriel!'' She cryed. ''Can't you remember wean the stones draged it's body all about town, screeming about how much better thay wear?''

Adriel signed. ''Oh, me? Forget! How on earth could I forget? I only hear about it three times a day.'' At this point they wear about near the top of the hill, Wear the mossy slowly became grass. ''I'm not leting you go and kill yourself over a job someone else could do better.'' Talitha said. ''Name one man in this family that can use a sword better then me.'' Adriel dared. Talitha narowed her eyes. ''Well, right off I can't.'' Adriel almost responded but she cut him off. ''But! Anoring the fact that Penial is the bigist man I've ever seen, is unwise.'' Talitha finished. And Adriel noded.

Now the two wear at the top of the hill. Thair was't any moss felf on the top, leading to the wooden house, wear the family lived. Thought winter could come any day now, little white lillys wear spred out hear and thair. ''I could prove i'm a better fighter!'' Adriel said. Talitha's face scrunged togther. ''Your gonna have a fighting contest, so you can have a fighting contest?!'' She asked in a scolding tone. ''That would be the best way to see is the strongist. But voteing is a good way too. Thought I dout they'd pick me.'' He said. Talitha felt a welp in her chest well up, and her eyes narrowing. ''Your missing the point! If you get picked then you'll die!'' She cryed. Making Adriel flinck. ''And me and Webic will be alone wean we leave Welnor.'' Then Adriel's face copyed her's. ''I would have thought you of all people would be on my side!'' Adriel yelled. ''Your not on Webic's side! Wean you died he'd be a weck!'' Talitha yelled back. She toke two steps back, placeing her hands on her hips. ''I won't die! And Webic likes the iden of me fighting! I'm sher.'' Talitha's anger became more prononsed in her exspreshion. ''He knows about that!?'' Adriel spun around, back down the hill. A little too fast for going down a step hill.

Talitha did't care to watch him. She made her way back to the house a little ways up the path on the moss hill.

Chapter five

Penial noticed over the years that the older he got, the more he was respeted. Wean he was a kid, everyone treted him like anyone else. He's father gave him sword fighting lessons in he teens. Penial did't care much for them. But he seemed to have a talint for it, prace was comon. By the end of he's childhood he was six feet, pushing seven. And was pritty good with a sword. So wean Oursal started attacking Welnor agine, Penial wanted to go. And he's famliy suported he's desisghion.

If you asked anyone in the clan, thay'd say him going was a great desishion. (Anyone he's age did't have much a chose.) At the end of the war, Redburn himself praced Penial on he's fighting ability. Resonmare (The clan's Rent.) Seemed to be the only person in the clan that did't seem so confidint about he's abilitys. (Besides every member in the drain family.) Resonmare said that he was't cut out for battle. No one under stould how she could say that wean Penial seemingly carved thought ah battle. But Penial himself agreed with her, even if he'd never tell anyone that.

The war lasted around two years. Wining to Welnor  was called not dieing. Thair was't much to gain from a war to Welnor. Being right besides a clan like Oursal was to put it simply, bloody. Penial know this, so wean he came back and just about everyone had at lest some level of respeted for him.

For a long time things stayed calm for Penial. He marryed (really bad mistake.) and had Abital. Then the behemoth bashed it's way thought Oursal and to   Welnor. It was winter at the time so no one really felt able to fight the beast. Under orders of Redburn, Resonmare gatherd up of meny men as she could. Most being the stones or drains, because thay wear trying to one up each others. Not that Resonmare cared. Redburn probably did thought.

Penial was one of the men that went. And the grope found it in the creek. What it was doing no one could tell. And after around three hours of spratic battles that would end up in more changing, Penial held on to it's neck and shuved he's sper at the bottom of it's jaws and throw it's month. But could't break past it's shull. Wean the behemoth stumbled and fell face first into the snow, Penial was almost crushed under it's wate. Wean Gith (barely old anuff at the time to even be thair.) pulled him out every other man cherded. That was the only time he could every rememberd both of the famliys getting along.

For a good three years, everything was great for Penial. The hole clan know him and respeted him. He's famliy treated him like a king. Mainly because every drain in the clan hated he's guts. And most of all, Abital was like he's best friend back then.

Back then he injoyed the attenshion. But now he just wants to be felt to himself. And that was going well, he's fame was dwindaling anyway. But the fights between the drains wear becoming more and more comen. You could barely walk outside your own house with out being attacked. Or attacking someone else. In he's wife's own words. ''You stones act like wild cats. I would't be surprised if less then hafe of you even know why you hate them. And! Don't use the fact that thair from Oursall as a ascuse!'' She would offen say.

Knowing how he's famliy sall him gave him confidince. He could't say the same for Gith. Everyone was luckly in the same room. Penial and Gith wear at the vary back, no one paying to much attenshion to them. Penial remembering the last meeting with Redburn, grabed a plate and pulled out he's poket knife, then hit the knife agenst the plate five times. He did't want to damige the plate, but probably did.

Everyone looked over to them (more spifiky Penial.) clearly puzzled. ''I have something inportion to say.'' Penial was surprised wean Gith spoke up first. They all sedalded back down. ''The last sword iden is tarrible. Nothing good can come from it.'' Gith said so quitely that anyone at the front of the room would't be able to hear him. That did't stop the ones at the back and middle from protesting. ''Thairs no need to worry about Penial.'' A lady wearing a bright green dress started. ''No drain could tought him. Let alone kill!'' Gith thronded. ''Now your just asking for him to get hurt!'' Gith yelled. The lady felt sorry for Gith, but she still smiled. ''I'd known you cared about him, but I never thought you would baby him!'' Not to meny in the crond thought that was funny. Still Gith coverd he's face with he's hand. ''It's not about Penial! It's about the fact that this is wrong!'' He cryed.

Up untile this point Penial had stayed quite behind Gith. But wean the family started looking anoyed, and Gith was looking more angry then ever. Penial steped up. ''He's right. Thairs far better ways to deal with this.'' Penial said. ''Hardly!'' A man's voice called. ''That last sword is are best shot!'' Mermers of agreement flyed out. ''...That's true, I won't lie... But the last sword is a trdishion from Oursal.'' Penial resonded.

The lady in the green dress spoke up.''It would take a lot more then one fight to make us like the drains.'' Penial's thron deepend, this was't going the way he planed. ''I would't be surprised if a long time ago the first members of Oursal said something similar.'' To Penial it felt like all the eyes watching him melted throw he's skin. And light yet sharp wispers could easyly be heard.

This affect was't happening to Gith however. And he's hands met behind he's back. ''Ah! Instead of pointless death, we could try some kind of battle of wit!'' He said with as much joy as he'd shown in months. ''Like how the original six clan leders sloved riddiles!'' No one sharded he's grin or hope. ''Young man.'' The lady in green started. ''Oh! I bet Resonmare could make one!'' Gith went on. The lady in green's voice grown more stern. ''Do you not kn-'' ''She's the smartist rent in any clan!'' ''Gith!''

Gith's head swarved in her derectshion. ''I understand being worryed for Penial. But if a war and a behemoth can't kill him, not just can.'' She moved to a more gental voice. Gith's smile slid off the second she started talking. ''I already said this was't just about Penial, this is about doing whats right.'' He said, Penial noding along with him. ''Don't you want are family to not lose are home; are ledisey!'' The lady in the green dress said in the tone only a scolding mother could. ''No!... That being said...'' Gith hesitated. ''I don't want anyone to die. Wather it's Penial or anyone else.'' The lady in green frowd her brow. ''You care if some drain dies?''

Gith's lips slid apart, he looked right to her eyes now. ''… And you don't care if one of your own clan mates dies?''

The stones had anuff of this none sense. Gith broke a unsaid rule. And they wear livided. Yelling, cersing and any sort of verbail attacks wear herlded at Gith's way. The shock and anger he felt before left in replace of fear. The fact that he was't the most fisicly strong young man did't help. He's hands tightend together, and he looked to the window to the left. Wear no one sat near.

Penial had a feeling they wear't going to convince any one at this point in time. Calmly he grabed Gith's rist and walked past the crowd to the frunt door. They could clearly hear the shouting died down right after they shut the door behind them. ''Thairs a chance we could convince them at the meeting.'' Penial said quitely. ''I know they get more anger at meetings, but maybe we can use that?...'' Penial finished. He did't sound all that sher of himself. ''Penial?'' Gith asked not looking right at him. ''Yes?'' Now Gith turnded he's head more to the right. ''Do you think the drains care if we die?'' Now he was looking derectly at the large forist right besides the house.

Chapter six

Webic smiled back at Adriel. Unforcinity for Jensal wean Adriel turnded aronde to him, he's smile showed a little more teeth. And a lot less fatherly love. Adriel's face did't change as he watched Jensal fix he's shoulder peaches. Jensal grabed the sword laying beside him, agenst the faded brown fench. And the two men steped closer in unisen, five feet apart.

The hole choseing afare toke four hole hours, and now they wear pushing five. The plan was that every women and elder (and the few men that did't want to fight.) to vote on who should fight. At the end it was a tie between four men. Now the new inproved plan was to put them into gropes of twos, give them training swords so they would't hard each other to bad. and the winner of both of the fights would go agenst each others. And they'd have thair winer.

The first fight was won by a younge man named Gabe. It was't much of a surprise that Gabe won the first one, the second fight was a little harder to tell.

Thought the new plan was liked by just about everyone, no one had to much of a intrest in watching thair family members fighting it out. It toke Adriel a lot convinceing to even get Talitha thair. But of couse, Webic was exsided to watch he's dad win with out a scratch.

Adriel's left hand tightend on the dule sword. He's smile droped as he foucesed on he's cusen. ''In five.'' Rhin called from the front... well of about five people. Jensal's nees sunck chloser to the grond. And both of he's hands tigtend on the training sword. ''One, two.'' Rhin started. Adriel focused on Jensal's legs. ''Three, four.'' Mainly on how skiny they wear conpared to the rest of he's body. ''Five!''

Adriel was slitly chot off gard. Jensal closed the space between them in less then hafe a second. What Adriel really did't exspect was the way Jensal used the sword. He slamed the side of the sword agenst Adriel's sholder. Not even maniging to rip Adriel's red top. They wear close anuff to tough with out ah sword. And with out thinking, Adriel steped back twice sharply. Jensal maniged to bloke the ponit of Adriel's sword just as it flown out at he's stomic. The second time Adriel amed for he's face. Jensal maniged to jump back, but he could have sworn he felt the vary tip of the sword on he's top lip. Jensal trying swinging at the other man's chest, but he underestmadid how far apart they wear and missed. This gave Adriel time to move closer and stab him in the right arm. The arm that was holding the sword.

Adriel was gonna point the sword at Jensal head wean he fell down. But Adriel neerly gasped wean Jensal roled behind him. And wean he stuld up he had the sword with with. How could he do that? Adriel wonders.

The next serise of attacks happened so fast that Jensal could barely proses them. Three times Adriel jumped right at him. Looking more angry every time. And three time Jensal side steped. Swinging he's sword at he's attacker with little resoltis. Only cuts hear and thair, could have done the same with paper.

Then Jensal breathed in suddenly (He did't know he was holding it.) and flung the sword right at Adriel's head. Adriel ducked, and slashed Jensal's nee.

Jensal lost all the air he sucked in wean he fell front first. Adriel barely had time to move out of the way. Jensal emiditly used he's left shoulder to prop he's leg off the grond. Leaveing the wide bright red cut, and the splater of blood left on the ground wean he fell, open for the five people watching to see fully. Jensal did't notice wean Adriel pointed the sword to he's head. Nore wean Rhin came out and said in a wavely tone. ''...Ah- Adriel drain won!''

Adriel looked to Rhin and smiled. Like wean he was a little kid a wanted to show he's father the first bass he ever chalt. '' Yes... That means it's between you and Gabe.'' Rhin nearly wisprd. Gabe himself was one of the five in the crond. And he thrond wean Adriel turnd to him, still smileing. ''Gabe! Did't you fight in that same war that Penial faght in right?'' Adriel asked, rather chiper. Gabe only noded. Adriel noded back, and tried helping Jensal up along with Rhin. ''Great.'' Adriel said to himself.

Chapter seven

Penial nearly jumped right of he's own skin wean lound knocking come from he's window. He sat up from the wooden chair so quickly he almost broke he's own neck. The window was on the wall that the wooden chair was leaning on, that meant that Penial only had to take one large step to be standing next to the window. Gith was on the other side wearing he's work clothes. The one with black bare skin, and that dume looking hat. It could keep you warm anuff around the egiys of the clan tarritory, on the side farthit away from Oursal. But the sides of cloth to the right and left cirled up like devil horns. ''Gith! I was almost asleep!'' Penial yelled. ''And you should't you be on potrol!?'' For it being as late as it was, Gith seemed rather bright eyed and bushy tailed. ''No. last time a Oursal tried to attack was two months ago. And normaly by that time Redburn gos easyer on use petrolers. Resonmare is a difrint story.'' The last part Gith muterd. Penial layed he's right hand on the side of the window for suport. Unintenshly making him look far taller to Gith. ''Ha... Ok, sher but why are you hear in the first place?'' Penial asked grogaly. ''I'll tell ya.'' Gith started. ''Just promise to keep a open mind about this.'' Penial noded, paying better attenshion to him. Gith choused he's words carefully. ''I don't think I ever told you but Abital has been visiting me as of late.'' Penial thought for a moment, then said. ''I'm gonna be honist, I belived she left the clan a long time ago.'' Penial removed he's hand from the wall and stuld more straght. ''If I'de known she was still around, I would have tried harder this morning.''

Penial palsed. And then looked back to Gith. ''Why did't you tell me before?'' Penial asked. Making Gith stiffen up. ''She dosen't want the family knowing she's still hear. But! She's planing on leaveing for Arowana after she ganes anuff silver.'' It was probaby a good thing Gith was't making eye contat at that moment, because Penial glard at him. And he's voice did't show it off at well. ''Arowana! You wear gonna let her go to Arowana with out stoping her!?'' Gith's right hand picked at the end of he's black fur top. ''… She told me that Welnor was too bissy with Oursal to ever take art serisly.''

At this point Penial forgot that he was't talking to Abital herself. Luckly for him Gith had heard Abital's opinines of Welnor to write a book about it. ''Of couse we don't have time for that kind of stuff! Who could wean Oursal is- well Oursal!'' Penial yelled. ''She knows that.'' Gith begain. ''But you know how she fells about her poitry. And Abital's works would probably have a far greater chance of being noticed in Arowana then hear.'' Penial steped back, closeing he's eyes as he thought. ''I dougt she'd even get into Arowana. It's hard anuff getting in any other clan, let alone Arowana!'' Out of the blue Penial felt a twing of simpathy for the drains. Redburn most likely had the same felling wean (at the time.) thirdy- two, men women and children came at the left borders. Without a singal real wepon to be seen. Bloodly and hungery. In fact, Penial thought he once heard that more tried to leave Oursal with them, but did't make it past the clan's borders.

''Wate, wate!'' Penial held out he's hand and asked. ''Why are you even hear?'' Now both of Gith's hands wear figiting with the end of he's shirt. ''You see. She was't informed about the meeting with Redburn. And so- ah, I never got to telling her about the... you know, hole thing.'' Gith stamrded. Penial noded slowly. Saying. ''Go on.'' Gith noded back, only much faster. ''I need help. I don't know how to start telling her.'' Gith said. ''I would love to see her agine!'' Penial ameted. And Gith's eyes widen. ''She has't said a word to me sence Sapphira died.'' ''No! No I did't mean that!'' Gith yelled. Penial throned. Gith backed up ah cople of steps. ''I'm sorry.'' Gith wisperd. ''But I should't have told you ask of this. And asking you if even worse.'' Penial's face shrunched up, he's hands tigtening. ''And why'd you even come Gith!?'' Penial asked. Gith did't have much of a intrest in looking up. ''Your better at- well talking Penial, then me at lest.'' He said honistly. ''I was hopeing you couse give me edvice on what to say... So could you?''

Penial throne did't lighten in any way. But he did make a aefort to sound more kind. '' I don't like talking outside. Besides its far too cold to leave a window open.''

Abital gazed over the damp and torn note book she held. Beside her was the finer white book. Tentikly the quill she writes with was her most exspensive poseshion. But the fine white book was her favrite thing she ever had.

A qorter of a mile from the large stone bilding wear the leader of the clan and he's family lived, was the maids's house. That being said, it was more of a large room. The resion Redburn wanted all the workrs to live in the same place was because Oursal tried sending in spys a long time ago. That did't exsplain why the house had to be so small. And after work, all the women would huddle up and conplan. Every singal night. Adriel was probaly the only girl that did't hate it. She never liked sleeping alone, the more the marryer right? Couse being poked and kicked was't much fun. And the bickering at the end of the day did't seem like a good way to end a day to Abital. But still, it reminded Abital of wean she was a little girl. Back wean she sleept with her parents. They never had the money to get a other bed. A lot changed wean she was eleven.

It was't the light kocking Abital heard, it was gasps from the girls next to the door she heard. She barely had time to look at the door before a women jumped up and swunged the door open. At the doorway was Gith, looking warn out wareing he's work clothes. ''Sorry ladies, but I'm looking for someone named Abital.'' Gith asked timidly. Before  Abital could respond, a small girl stuld up. ''What do you need sir?'' The girl asked sternly. Some times it was hard having such a classical name like Abital. Everyone's mother, wife and daugter seemed to have it. Gith blushed. ''Oh no, I'm so sorry. Your not the Abital I'm looking for. My'en has red hair.'' Abital jercked up off her sheet, and looked him in the eyes. ''I do not! Have red hair Gith!'' She screemed the word not. She's lieing. Gith jumped back, making it harder to see him in the night. They only had one candle after all. ''I know that! I know that! You've told me before.'' Gith cryed. Abital layed her fists on her hips ''Aparently you don't!'' The girls in the room wear at this point copletly silenct, takeing notes for later. ''I'm sorry.'' Gith moved down from one steping stone to the aother.(Gith did't know that the stones wear the same ones he and Penial sat on wean they used to fish years ago.) Abital's eyes opend all the way, and she throned. ''Ah- come on!'' the vary second she flung her right leg out, and made her way across the room, every girl in the room started wispering. Abital felt someone taping her on the shoulder before she left. She did't stop, Abital did catch what the other girl said. ''Good luck with your solemate.'' The girl tested. Abital would have loved to see her face if she told her that he was her cusen. But she did't want anyone of her co-workers knowing she was a stone.

Her heard someone shut the door behind her. But of couse, not before saying something about privisy. What do they know about privisy? Abital wonderd. ''I'm sorry Gith.'' Abital apoligised stiffly. Gith walked clother to Abital. '' I forgive you. Mmm... I have something to tell you.'' Gith mumbled. Abital noded. '' Have you ever been to a meeting with Redburn?'' Gith asked. ''I was too younge.'' She replied. ''I really want to be you.'' That made Abital laught. That was't really what Gith meant to do, not that he had a problum with that. '' Well the last one did't go so well.'' Gith had a habit of loseing a smile just as soon as he got it. '' Redburn is gonna make one of the drains and one of use fight to death! It's called the last sword, I think.'' Abital did't make a singal noise. Gith went on uncertion. ''And... This is  something a clan like Oursal would do. I think it even comes from it.'' Abital turned to the side, holding a hand on her head. '' Oh god.'' She breathed. Gith started picking at the end of he's shirt. ''Sorry about not telling you yesterday.'' He apoligised. Abital waved her hand, looking to the ground still. '' No no. I...'' She then looked back to Gith. ''Weans the next meeting? Thair has to be a follow up.'' She asked. '' Next... It's tomarrow.'' Gith said flatly. Abital made a sound similar to a cokeing noise. She stayed quite for a minite. Gith did't want to upset her by saying anything. She swung her head but just after she shuved her hands in the pokets on the sides of her dress. ''I'm gonna be sick tomarow!'' Abital exsplained. ''Ok?'' Gith throned. ''No! I mean I'll say that I'm sick, and I have to leave so my family can take care of me.'' She exsplained. ''You want to come?'' Gith asked. He had't seen her with any other family member seens they wear teens. Doing now seemed wrong in a way. ''I'll dress up. No one will see its me.'' The joy of comeing up with iden did't stay long for Abital. ''I must go. The girls will think something is up.'' Abital said turning to leave. ''Ah- ok. I'll see you thair.'' Gith said. And watched her starting up the way to the house. ''Oh, Wate!'' Gith called. And Abital looked to him. ''You do that if this does happen, and the last sword does happen, that your dad will fight right?'' Gith asked softly. Abital cringed, persing her lips, trying to think of what to say. '' That is't my problum. I'm only worryed about  the fact that you and me may leave.''

Gith tried waveing bye before she shut the door, but he did't think she even sall. Gith signd. '' At lest, that could have gone worse.'' He resoned.

Chapter eight

Packa always had to look down wean she wore her cape. It was one of the coldist days with out snow she ever seen. And Packa had to go too see Resonmare today. So not wearing the cape was't a opshen. The lime green cape was made for a man, wick was why it was too long. But Packa could't bring herself to cut it. She thought it was far too beautiful. Plus it was a gift.

Packa stoped. No she had't seen a single man, women, or child seens she left her house. Wick of strange given the fact she lived right next to the drains. Thair wear so memy of them living in that house, that not seeing one was beoned strange. Sence no one was watching, she lifted the lime cape off the stone rode for just one minite. Packa did't like the way it looked wean she lifted the cape up. Now with her new found speed, she could injoy how pritty the being of the middle side of Welnor was. Thair was always flowers that came up yearly around hear. Bluebellys mainly. But thair wear others.

The blod of black stuld out so garingly from the perple, that Packa did't even need to be looking anywear neer it to see the thing. She stoped and turned to her left to get a better look at it. Then out of the black blod came a brown looking one, both moveing slowly. Suddenly to Packa the two blod looked like two people walking in the fild. '' Bet thair drains.'' Packa thought out loud. She wanted to go and ask them why thair house was so quite today, but that seemed a little to personal. Packa would't be surprised if someone in the family just died. Yeah that made a lot of sence. Packa let her cape go down agien. Trying not to keep looking back at the two far off figers.

It was odd anuff that the drains wear so quite today, no maids outside really silded the deal. But the oddist thing was that of all people, Resonmare opened the door. ''No ones allowed in today miss.'' Resonmare exsplained, with her trad mark emoshunless voice. Had she ever even gotten angry? '' But I only came to see you.'' Packa said. ''It's not some big crazy deal. I just came to report something.'' Resonmare shuck her head. '' If it is't a that inporton, you can come and report it tomarow.'' She said. Packa moved her lime green cape over her front better. Intending to stay a willy. '' Whats happened? Wear are all the maids? And why are you of all people ansering the door?'' Packa asked. But before Resonmare could anser a singal qeshtion, Packa made a ather observashion. '' And speeking of odd, why are you so dressed up? I know that a rent has to stay proper. But your clotheing does seem a tad over done for a normal day.'' Resonmare was well known outside of the clan for wearing full blown armor wean she was anywear neer the border. And inside the clan she was tipikly seen in hunting clothes. (because fighting and hunting wear mainly the onlt two things she'd ever done.) Resonmare wearing a noble man's dress was only really seen wean she and Redburn went to clan meetings. And even that was rare because she normaly stayed behind and leads incase of a Oursal attack.

''I can't answer any of your qeshtions miss. You'll just have to see me tomarow about that report.'' Packa tried to reson more with her, but she steped backwards and pushed the old wooden doors shut. Packa wanted to start kocking agine till Resonmare had to come out. But hounistly Resonmare was kind of scary. Packa would't be surprised if Resonmare looked at her the same way she looked at a Oursal warrior she was about to kill.

On that happy note, Packa spun around and started walking back home. '' Perhaps I could go into the vary middle of the clan and get something for mama.'' She thought out load. The iden of going home with out anything being gained seemed repulsive to Packa. She hed a plethra of friends to talk to, but everyone would to bissy to see her. And she did't fell like reading today. But maybe looking for a new book would be fun? But her mom was't fund of books- Packa lost trake of time. And now the bilding she left was out of signt. And two people wear walking up the road to her. They wear the black and brown blobs from before. Only now they wear both men. The black one seemed to be walking funny. And to Packa's joy the one in the brown farming sut was Marnal. '' Good morning Marnal!'' Packa called, waveing at him. She would have ran but the lime cape.  Marnal looked away from the other man and smiled. '' Morning Packa!'' He called. Marnal was careing a small bag, round shapes bolged out at every side. And given the fact he was holding it like a baby, Packa had a every good iden what it was. '' Should't you be keeping thoughts for winter?'' She asked. Just then the smaller man wearing the black clothes pated Marnal on the shoulder. '' Nah! Did't he tell ya that it was a good year for the frunt. This right hear.'' The man pounted to the bag. ''Is the last Marnal's gonna sell this year.'' He finished. Marnal noded. ''He did tell me.'' Packa turned her attenshion to the smaller man. ''Are family to Marnal?'' The smaller man throned. ''No. I've been your nabor as long as I've been in Welnor. How do you not know me by now?''

Packa plased. Oh no. She thought. He's a drain. Packa hardly know any of the drains personly, and she intended on keeping it that way. Trusting anyone from Oursal was no difrint then trusting the devil. It's not that Packa did't pity them, but sherly they must have picked up more then one bad moral. Still she tried smileing despite it. ''I'm sorry, but I don't reconive you.'' Packa apoligised. Marnal shifted the wate on he's arms so he could hold the bag more contfribley. ''This is Adriel. He's ah drinking buddy of I'm'' Marnal said. Then he looked left to Adriel. ''And she's Packa. I sell goods to her father.'' Adriel started smileing agine. ''You did't need to tell me that. I already know plenty about her.'' He said. '' You'd never gess what happened to me today!'' Packa started. Turning her attenshion to Marnal. ''I was going to see Resonmare today to report a theth. But they would't let me in! Thair was't a singal maid neer the place! Resonmare herself anserd the door!'' She yelled. '' Oh. Adriel and the rest of he's family are going to a meeting.'' Marnal exsplained, then looked to Adriel and asked. ''Why would the maids leave thought?'' Adriel shruged stifly. ''It's a puzzle. Just one of thoughts meetings about stoping the fight between the stones. You know how it is!'' Adriel laughed. Once more Marnal changed the way he held he's bag. ''Can we keep going thought? You said you wanted to be thair early Adriel. And I can't keep holding this with out walking.'' The vary second Marnal finished, Adriel started walking. ''Your right! It was nice getting a chace to talk to you Packa!''

Then Marnal and Adriel headed down the road. But just before they once agine looked like colorful blods, Packa lifted her lime cape above her feet and ran after them. ''Hey!'' She called. Marnal looked back to her. ''Ah, what's wrong?'' Packa droped the cape. ''I can walk you thair.'' Packa said. Marnal shruged. Adriel did't seem to notice. '' Hey Adriel, If you don't mind me asking, wean I left home today your house was vary quite. Was anyone thair?'' Packa asked. Adriel noded. ''Everyones thair, we wear all up late yesterday. I'm probably the only one up.'' Adriel anserd. Packa smiled. ''That exsplains the way your walking.'' Adriel stoped walking, and finaly looked to her. ''I'm not tiyerd. I injerd my leg.'' Then he lifted he's left leg's pants to he's neek, wear a thick cloth was raped aroned. ''Gosh! How'd you get it so bad that it went all aroned the leg!?'' Packa asked. Marnal stoped walking and looked back. Adriel ponited to one spot below the neek. ''Its really not that large, my wife was just codleing me.'' Adriel said. Packa and Marnal ckuckled. But Adriel just went on. ''I got it in a fight with one of my cusens.'' He moved the pants back down. ''Don't tell anyone, I need to be at that meeting.'' Adriel finished. Packa rased a eyebrow. ''Did't you say that the meeting was like any other?'' Adriel caute he's breath, but quickly grined. ''It is. But it's my son's first time going, and I want to be thair with him. He's nervise.'' Packa noded. And they started going agine. The bilding comeing into sight. ''How can you even walk? That still sounds painful.'' Packa pointed out. Watching her cape on the grond agine. ''I'm good at takeing pain.'' Adriel anserd. Marnal spoke up suddenly. ''Yep! He said a dog bite him on the face wean he was ten.'' Packa looked back to Adriel, and he pointed to three fant presher marks on he's face. ''That's right. I bet no other ten year old could have takeing it so well.'' Adriel braged. ''He was sherly crying like a girl.'' Marnal mumbled.

Before Packa know it, they wear back at Redburn's house, and the place for meetings with other clans. Or iner problumes. Other hafe of them had something to do with Oursal. ''Welp! I have to get to town. My arms are burning.'' Marnal exsclamed. Adriel noded. ''Nice talking to you Marnal.'' Adriel turned to Packa. ''And I hope to get to know you better Packa.'' Adriel moved closer to the front door. ''I do too.''

the three split up. Packa was surprised to actshly injoy talking to a drain of all people. Most conversashions wear mainly just yelling at one of them for steping on her flowers, or stapleing her grass into durt wear the children play neer her house. They brote all kinds of strang games and holidays from Oursal wean they left. But some seemed kind of fun. Even if they did't to her flowers. Packa could't help but wonder what life in Oursal was like.

Chapter nine

Now noramly, meetings of iner clan problums wear held in a hut outside of Redburn's home. So if any fights brake out, nothing inportion will be dameiged. (this pratise was for the most part started by the stones and drains themselves.) But do to how inprtion and privite this one was, it was held in Redburn's house (wear all the Welnor leders used to live, Welnor's capital.)senter of the bilding, The largeist room in the bilding. Not meny other clans liked meeting in Welnor, (Even Mouche.) but if they did, it was hear. Unlike any other room in the house, this one was primaraly a dark stone. At the front of the room was four thrones. A long time ago the leders of Welnor, Eitilt, Mouche, and the now dead clan. Would meet hear and descas how to better the east side of Delnet. Back then the clans wear young. And it seemed the would itself wanted every clan dead. The Clonth hunting skills had't been invented yet. Scaviging was mostly the only opshen. Farming was cruld and baseic at best. And the heat killed every day. The clans to the east acted as more of one clan. Long before Oursal came as a band of forgoten clan members from the west. None of the clans (Even Arowana.) had the time, or really the contact with each other, to have wars. Only small battles over land.

Now the four thrones wear striped of any desings that would tell which clan it was for. So any clan leder or thair rent could sit thair. Beond the four thrones wear lines of dark stone anest the walls. Most clans had this kind of desing go in more of a cercal then strat narrow lines across the wall. But this room had hardly been changed from it's origunal layout.

It had just anuff room to let every member of the stone and drain family sit down. Resonmare tried to  get the familys siting together on the left and right sides, but the vary second they came in they chose. Barely anyone was mixed.

Redburn sat for now. But was planing on standing up wean the meeting started. Like he dose dering hut meetings.Wilst Resonmare sat on the throne faceing the right. None of Redburn's family members came to the meeting. As far as any of them know, this was just a more inportion meeting then one to be held in a hut. If a clan leder was marryed or had a first born child, it was manditory for iner clan meetings to have them come along. But to some Welnor clan members desmay, as long as Redburn had been leder he never was wed.

''Belive me, spreeding them out is the best opshin we have.'' Resonmare leading over to Redburn and said. He held up he's hand, and Resonmare went silint. Redburn watched each side till they both setalded in thair places. Redburn looked back to Resonmare. ''If I'm loseing thair intrust, come up.'' She noded. And Redburn stuld up.

''Ok! So we all know what's going on.'' Redburn begain, walking to the vary middle of the room. All eyes looked stragt at him. ''I have desiged that the fighting is ending. I don't care wather or not you wear born hear or not. We've tried talking for years. But if Oursal has tought me anything, talking does little wean people have thair minds set.'' Redburn was a little surprised wean he palsed, everyone stayed quite. They noramly yelled or at lest mumbled wean Oursal was menshinded. ''We have three ways to go about this. One we have the rest of the clan vote. Two, the last sword.'' Redburn qlanced over to Resonmare. ''Or three, one of the two familys moved to the ends of the clan.''

The quite from before was lost. Not quite yelling, but still pleanty loud anuff to drown out your thoughts. Liveing neer the ends of the clan was a death wish. Even if you wear on the opisent side to Oursal. Potrol gaurds armed themselves as soldiers.

Redburn looked out for members of eather family that looked like a good pick. On the left side he picked out a lady with crimson hair looking deep in thought and pointed at her. ''Ah- you miss!'' She snaped up looking surprised. And copyed him by poniting at herself. ''I'm speeking to you. What do you think about this?'' Redburn asked. The crimson lady just looked inbarised. '' Yes! I, I think- know that voteing won't help my family. And sending us too the end of the clan would kill more then the last sword... Do you see wear I'm comeing from!?'' She finished. Never looking her leader in the eyes.

Redburn noded. He'd have to pick someone older next time. She did't seem to be a adult yet. Redburn looked over to the other side. It was't hard for him to find he's next target and point the person out. ''You have any thing to may sir?'' The man he adresed he know himself, it was a border potrol guard. One of the stones. ''You sould know a great deal about the borders.''

The guard did't seem to ken on being pointed out eather. But never the less he stuld up, speaking clearly. ''I've thought a great deal about this.'' The guard started, quitly glanceing over to a lady beside him. ''And going thought with the last sword is wrong. It is a Oursal trdishion after all. But, we could try a none fatal verson. Its gos all the same but its the first one that sudrenders.'' The guard sugested. Most stoped to lisen. ''I an't so sher how that would work, but it is something.'' Redburn said. The guard started looking confesed. ''It's vary simal.'' Then he added with speed. ''Not insalting your inteligens! It's rather easy to pick a winer with out killing.'' The guard exsplained. Resonmare leaded in. and Redburn shuck he's head. ''Not insalting your inteligens sir, but I would bet my life that giving a stone and ah drain a sword and telling them to fight. I don't see how they would't kill each other.'' Redburn said grimly. The guard stuld straght up, never moveing a ince. ''I agree. But mite as well try. And seending us to the bourder is far worse then seending us out all together.'' The guard mumbled.

''Thank you for the sevesten. Anyone else?'' Redburn asked. Most in the two lines of people fumbled around. Mumbled hear and thair. None stuld up or spoke out. Redburn held himself back from jumping away wean Resonmare suddenly aperd next to him. It did't help that her exspreshion was blake. ''Seems no one has anything to say. Hears what will happen next.'' She glanced over to Redburn. He noded. ''You'll all vote amoge yourselfs, between the three opshines.'' Resonmare paulsed. ''But before we start voteing, We want to see who been picked to fight for each family.''

It was't hard for anyone to see Penial on the right fumbleing out of he's seat and pushing past others. But to the left everyone shoted back for the man comeing out. They both stoped around five feet from Redburn and Resonmare. Redburn did't know who to exspecet from the drains. He hardly know any of them personly. But it was't that the man was rather small conparded to Penial that surprised him. It was that the man seemed to be trying to hide a leg injery. It would't have been too ovise to anyone, but Redburn know what a injery looked like. The man should have walked down with a cruch, or not walked at all. ''Ah, I could have gessed Penial would be hear.'' Resonmare said. She did that some times, talking for Redburn. ''You should't have.'' The last part confised everyone in the room, exsept Penial. Resonmare looked over to the smaller man, but before she could speck Redburn started. ''What's your name sir?'' He asked. The man's face became more sturn. ''My name's Adriel. I'm a drain sir.'' The man answerd. ''What's wrong with your leg thair?'' Redburn sall Adriel's eye twicg. ''Yes- I injerd it yesterday. It's nothing to be conserd over.'' Adriel Said, not looking at Penial. Who wants to look at a man your gonna kill?

Redburn looked to Resonmare and back. Resonmare asked first. ''How did you injer it?'' Adriel huffed involintarly. ''We needed a contest to deside who would be best to go. I won, but was stabed in the leg.''

Redburn exspeted as much, but nerly everyone on the right side started talking. What they wear saying it was hard to tell. ''I see. Anything to add Penial?'' Resonmare asked. ''No.'' Penial responded in a dule tone. ''Well then!'' Redburn yelled so everyone could hear. ''Are we ready to start Resonmare?''

Chapter ten

Most foke outside of the two largeist familys, know that wean a groop of stones or drains gos out together its best to stay out of the way. It was't that people had a problum with one or two members at a time, stones wear like anyone else in the clan. And drains, even with the strang habbets they have, thair just as friendly as anyone else. But no one outside (and sometimes inside.) cared for the fighting.

It was't the first time people- even a whole family, had moved from one clan to aouther of couse. And Oursal for all it's vilince in trying to control the now three neerist clans. Before it's time, leaveing a clan for any resion was the end of the line. You eather become a outcast for the rest of your life, or you'd die from lack of food and shelter. But wean members of Clonth, Bass, and Arowana left and built Oursal looking for a more free clan. Soon other clans let more outsiders in wean more new clans after Oursal took away thair members. This was also beneficial to the older clans because incest was starting to be quite a problum.

But most people did't want to move to Welnor because of it being right next to Oursal. And no one leaveing Oursal had any intrest in going to the next clan over. So the drains wear quite the suprise wean they came. Really the only resing they went to Welnor was because they did't have the strangth to go any further. Eitiltl was most offen the place if Oursal members left. But not that meny in the clan wanted to leave. Other clans called Oursal the middle of a herican from the start.

Marnal watched men pass into the bar, then walk right back out mindlessly. He know they wear sober, because it had only been four minites sence they came. And agine, they kept comeing in and out. Not in any real pattern, just wondering and laughing. Marnal was leaning on a small house faceing the bar. Becuse of attacks at the ends of the clan, instead of houses being neer the ends and the market place being in the middle like most clans, Welnor had them all mixed together. Marnal was going to see Adriel hear, (Adriel did't tell him why he wanted to go out in this day in particular.) but Marnal could clearly tell that all the men going in and out wear Stones, and Marnal prayed he could chaut Adriel before he went into lion's den.

It was however becoming more and more tembting to just go in. For it had starting snowing that morning, and Marnal had only armed himself with a thin gray coveing over he's normal work clouthes. The fact that he had't eaten in five hours did't help none. Marnal barely noticed wean a tall man stuld next to himself, it was only wean the man started mumbleing that Marnal looked to he's right. It toke him a cople of seconds till he reconized the man. ''Oh, Hello! I have't seen you in a long time!'' Marnal spook loud. Penial turned wide eyed. But quicky he's exspreshion changed to confishion. ''It must have been, because I have don't seem to reconiz you sir. Sorry.'' Penial said. Marnal noded, moveing up from the house's walls. ''I did't think you would. I was one of the men that tried killing that behemoth, like what- three years ago?'' He said. Penial shoved he's hands in he's capes pokets. Marnal wonderd why Penial was wearing such fine clothes in weather like this. ''Actshly it was more then three.'' Penial stated. Then changed the subject. ''Wear you one of the guys that got steped on? I'm shocked no one died from that.'' Marnal throned. ''No I was't.'' Marnal did't have too much of a intrest in telling him that he could't get a singal hit in the beast. Penial did't pick up on Marnal's tone, and he looked over to the bar. More spifiky the men going in and out still. ''Hi, do you know what's up with the stones over thair?'' Marnal asked. ''Just a night out! And I'm a stone.'' Penial anserd with out looking back. ''Oh.'' Marnal did't make any attempt to see him goodbye wean Penial off walked to the bar. Leaveing Marnal even more worryed for Adriel's sack.

Penial was't too shocked wean all he's cousins yelled in prace wean they sall him. Penial pushed up a smile. And kept he's tone friendly and motist. ''I'll swar on my soul your the only resion everyone voted right!'' A man with black hair yelled. Penial only noded along as he was pulled into the public house.

Chapter eleven. Is that how one spells it?

He sould have been out twenty four minites ago. But every cople seconds someone pesterd him. It was't that he could't understand why they wear consernd, (Talitha most of all.) but thair acting like he was going to die. Every cople of seconds a new person stops Adriel and tells him he's going mad.

Infact the only person in the hole family that did't doute Adriel- never doutes Adriel, is Webic. Every time Adriel sees a new face he's ready for a new fight. But wean he sall Webic standing six feet away looking puplext, he smiled. ''Wear you going?'' Webic asked. ''Do you remember the man that came down a cople of weeks ago? The one with yelow hair?'' Adriel asked and Webic noded. ''Wear going out for a time. I'll won't be back by the time you'll be asleep. But I will be around by morning.'' Adriel exsplained, then moved the thin sheet back. The only thing keeping them even slitly warm. Webic shiverd. ''Your gonna fight are't you!? I need to be thair!'' Webic said exsidedly. ''No. that's in two weeks.'' Adriel started out the house. ''Ah...'' The cloth fell behind Adriel and he ran out. Hopeing to not hear any more about it anymore this night. Exspeshly from Webic.

The drain's house was't quite in the middle of Welnor like most houses. But it was close anuff to make a fine walking destince to the middle. Infact the drains made the house themselves. Normaly Adriel did't have a problum with that. But truging throw snow and not being able to find the bar was't idel. To Adriel, he was positive that if he did't find the bar soon, Marnal would have he's head the next day.

Most clans would have thair bars lit up with torches and large sgins on the outside. Welnor despite it's size they only had one bar. And because all the houses wear next to the bar, the owners of the bar did't want any children getting inside. So it looked more like a large house then a bar, the only way you could tell was the guard outside and more windows. This night thought it was't hard to spot the bar. Men made loud recuse inside. This would't be strang for Clonth or Rensall or Arowana, but it was for Welnor. And Adriel walked right up to it.

Needless to say, the bar was so much warmer then outside in winter. So much so that Adriel ckeeks and hands felt dume. Adriel sat neer one of the windows on the left of the bar. The strang men wear mostly on the right. He emiditly felt bad wean Marnal was no wear to be found. ''Ah gess- He's gone!'' Adriel wiend. ''What's the point now?'' Knowing no one was looking, he let he's injerd leg lay out farther then the other. If someone was seting opisent to him he'd bump into them.

Under most circumstances, Adriel genuenly would't stear at other people did't know. No matter how intresting they wear. But if your as loud as the fokes to the right wear, you defitly desirve it. Adriel did't think they notice him anyway.

Most of the men wear huddeld around one larger table neer the top right corner. ''Someone must be rather intres...'' Adriel trailed off. ''It must be that Penial guy over thair.'' Adriel thought out loud. Suddenly it seemed like everyone in the room was looking derectly at Adriel. Quickly he stuld up and began walking (really it was more like runing.) to the front door.

The blast of blinding cold wind that hit he's scrunched up face almost made him want to retret back inside. Still he steped four slow steps ahead and with some resistins, shut the door behind him. Doors in Welnor had to be stronger then doors in any other clan, because they wear the closesit clan to the snow lands of deliten. And that meant keeping out the cold was a year round problum. And on a windly night like this one, Adriel had a hard time doing so being rather short. Few men wear outside the bar, and Adriel liked it that way. ''I was just leaveing!'' Adriel turned he's head to the left, wear the man's voice rang. It was Marnal, next to a cople other guys. Marnal said something to the others then walked over to Adriel and wisperd. ''Don't go in that bar. Every man in the stone family must be in thair.'' Adriel did't see it fit to wisper along wean no one was close anymore. ''I just left the bar. I figerd you went. And I already got that the men in thair wear stones.'' the next part he said with some hesitashion. ''Penial was in thair I belive.'' Marnal hised a eyebrow. ''I got to talk to him before he went in actshly. Seemed like a nice guy. Did he ever attack any of your family?'' Marnal lost he's wisper and started talking in a normal tone. ''I'll never le- Ah! No he hasent.'' Adriel said.

Voices grow louder behind the two men talking, still nether of them could enor it. ''No doute two samons fighting would make a more intresting show!'' One of the men laughted. ''I bet the other guy triped!'' Said a aother. The four men toned down the laughter wean they noticed Adriel and Marnal staring at them. ''You know Adriel?!'' One of the men asked Marnal. ''Yes, I've known him for a good wile now.'' None one thought that was amusing. Adriel signed. ''Marnal was talking to stones!'' He said to himself out loud, ones more. Marnal went quite. Suddenly one of the men pointed to Adriel's left leg. ''That won't be healed by the time for the fight.'' Adriel's face turned sturn. ''I walked all the way hear with hardy any pain! Your just trying to give me a fright.'' Adriel responded. Two of the men came closer. ''Even sill, it's a vary Oursal thing to do! Fighting your own so your can fight someone else.'' The other man said. Adriel brain cut off, and he throw a rardy fist right agenst the man's chest. The man fumbled five steps backwards. Gasping all the way, never falling. Ironikly thought, Adriel was the one who fell flat on he's stomic. Hiting he's chin on the gravel below. Before wean he stuld up to punch the larger man he put he's trust in he's left leg. And it could't take the wate of he's body.

Imidly Adriel roled on he's back. Burning pain tingaled in he's chin and face. Growing more intence by the second. The second man (howm was't punched.) stuld between Adriel and he's aproceing kin. ''If the drains of all people, picked him to fight Penial then he must be dangeruse!'' the second man yelled. Marnal lifted Adriel up off the ground rufly. ''My dog could fight better then him!'' The punched man laughted, with little real joy. ''Bu- Your putting yourself at risk!'' The second man resoned. ''Damnit Gith! Move!'' The punched man screemed. And Adriel stifend up. ''Redburn will be livied if he hears of this fight! Resonmare will get involved with out doute!'' The second man cryed. The man froze. ''… Your right.'' The punched man looked back down to Adriel, looking back just as angry. ''You've been wishing for death. And if I was you I'de leave right away.'' The punched man grabed the second man's sholder and walked off into the bar.

Adriel gently toughed he's chin, but recoled. Looking down at he's hand he sall dabs of blood. The chill air already started drying. ''You ok?'' Marnal turned to Adriel and asked. ''I'll live.'' Adriel spoke quietly. He turned around and started walking away from the bar, Marnal three feet behind. He had to baby he's left leg, with the new pain. ''Unbevlibe.'' Marnal mubled. ''Ah. What's that?'' Adriel asked. ''Not inporton.'' By Marnal's tone it was. Adriel throned. ''You know.'' Adriel said dryly. ''I'm better with a sword.''

Chapter twelve

The big problue was that she did't have anuff food. The maids wear provided food in the afternoon, but any other meals they had to get themselves. And Abital never had to much resion to keep that much food before. (Probably why she was so thin.) If she could even find a place to keep them.

So the plan was to stoke up at the senter of the clan,  and leave Welnor with Gith being the only man she'd say bye to. Not that she hated any of the girls at work. But exsplaining would take time. And Gith was more inportion.

Abital was't stupid. The second she sall that small man at the meeting. (Hidden beside of Gith, wearing large baggy clothes.) It was clear to her, that her father would kill him. Of couse, eather way she would have to leave. Abital did't think anyone but Gith known she was still in the clan. But out right breaking Redburn's word was crossing a line. And if Penial fell then she'd have to leave the clan. But of couse, he won't. And in some ways that was worse. Because her father would be a straght up killer. Not some kind of war hero, or a family man doing what he had to do. But a killer. And it did't matter that the little boy agreed to it; not in her eyes.

Leaveing her items on her blacket, Abital grabed her thin tan bag and her money and leaves the maid home for now. This would mark the vary first time she broght her beautful notebook out the maid's home seence she got it. Of all times this would't be the one to lose it. And she never truey trusts any of the girls thair not to tamper with it. Today was't the best day to go with it because it was snowing lightly. For now it was safe in her dress poket, but that did't stop her from worrying.

Before she left Abital pulled up her hair into a bun, tied it off with a long, thin, black ribbion. It was ment to go around the waist of her maid dress to hold the peach aprin, but her hair was rather long for a maid. And the lose strans really got in her face. (Most high class ladies in clans have long classicly braded hair. So it was a law that the maids had short hair. It was't one anymore, still most did.) And wear the only dress that was't her work outfit. Anyone who did't know her well would't have reconized her. Abital puferd it that way.

The senter of Welnor seemed num. None of the men wondering about made any noise or seemed to be going anywear in piticlar. The air felt clamy. And to Abital's dismay, she could't seem to remember wear that one tall (indead scary.) Bassen man who sold the best goods set up shop. Other shops wear up, but none as good. (Why he insested on going back and fourth from Bass and Welnor was any man's gess.)

Abital did't recognize him at first. She glansed, then looked back to the small shops, wean Abital hunted and turned back to the man on the other side of the smoth dirt road. ''Whow! Ah- Gith!'' She called while faceing the him, waveing her arm. Gith turned to her and throned, looking cofesed. ''Hel- Ah?'' Gith's face changed. ''What are you doing hear!?'' He asked. Abital throw her mety bag over her sholder carelessly and started walking over to Gith. ''Saveing up food.'' She said, but quickly changed her tone to a more serious tone. ''I'm leaveing as soon as I can. You... You should come with me.'' Gith had a blank look on he's face. ''Why are you leaveing now? You said that your gonna save up before you go to Arowana.'' Gith asked, still looking blank. ''It's not because of Arowana. And I don't have the money.'' Then Abital leaned close to Gith and wisperd. ''I don't want to be around wean the fight happens.''

''Oh.'' Gith mumbled. ''But wear sherly gonna w-win.'' He's voice went down as well. ''Don't care. I can't stay if they lose. And I won't stay if they win.'' Abital said furmly. Gith asumed the “they” was thair family. ''No one but me knows your still in the clan.'' Gith mumbled. Abital throned wean she picked up on how he's voice changed. ''Besides, who wants to be in a clan that suports that kind of law.'' Abital went on. ''I always thought of Redburn as a good Calrang. And sherly Resonmare. Ha! At this point Oursal looking better. Lest they let you chouse the clan leder once a decade.'' Gith stared at her for a few seconds, bewilderd. ''...You do know they don't let women vote. Or new a comer for tha-'' Abital roled her eyes. ''I did't mean I'm going thair! I'm probably heading to Eitilt. Thair close.'' She backed away a cople of steps. ''Please stay!'' Gith cryed. Abital palsed. ''I don't see why. Like I said; If they lose I'll have to go. And if they win I don't want to be neer a man I called family.'' She said quitely. Gith wanted to say that she never called him father or family anymore after Sapphira died, but he would't do that. ''But Abital... You'll never know if your dad lives.'' He mumbled. To Gith's suprise, Abital gave him a sympathetic look. Maybe even to her know suprise. ''Gith. I know your fond of my dad. But you know he killed my mom, and I don't care if he suverives or not.'' She said quitely. ''But don't you wanna know?'' Gith asked, more clearly this time. ''No.''

Gith scracked he's head, not used to being in the cold with out that large ugly hat they make all the gaurds wear. ''...If you stay till the end I'll go with you.'' Gith said timidly. Abital's sad look droped. ''Really? You mean if they lose?'' She asked, and Gith noded. ''Oh... But I'm still leaveing if they win you know.'' once more Gith noded. Abital steped back more. Looking to the ground thinking. Gith wated nervisely, keeping an eye out of anyone neer by that could hear. ''Ok, ok. Lisen.'' Abital started, Gith head snaped back to her derectshion. ''I'll stay for now. But I'm not gonna make any promises. Understuld?'' She finished. ''Conpletly. It's only a week away...'' Gith suddenly rememberd.

Abital folded her bag till it was a small rectangle and held it agenst her armpit. ''Regardly, I still need to bye food. Do ya want to come with me?'' Abital asked. Gith hestated, but cave in. ''I can't see why not.'' He lied. Abital lead the way, hopeing she could finaly find that bassen man.

Chapter thirdteen

It was only three days before the fight. Adriel was sat at the vary center of he's family. It came round in a cercal. All uncomfortability close to the fire in the middle.

People on the east side of delnet would call that a normal sized fire, for a winter night that is. But anyone on the west side would call it a forist five wateing to happen.

Adriel crunched up wear he sat. They did't have anuff chairs for the hole family outside, and none of the women or kids wanted to wash any exstra blankets, so Adriel had to set on the cold most ground. It would't bother him that much if everyone was't talking at all. Thay wear going to desuse what was going to happen if Adriel died, but no one had any real idens. Just hafe baked thoughts like 'we should go to Bass', or 'Mouche is a fine clan, at lest wean it comes to wether.' But no one really had much too add.

''I'll be fine.'' Adriel started. Couseing he's words carefully. ''That being said, you all should be papared. Anything can happen.'' Everyone watched him, sparked with a new intrest. ''I don't know what clan we could go to next, but we need to gather up what money we have to spare and see if it's near anuff to travle. Of couse we'll have to hunt...'' Adriel chalt the word we'll, in a shock it brought the nolage that thair would't be a we.

Adriel stratened up, looking ahead. He'd save that kind of thinking for later. ''It's not anuff.'' Everyone looked to the Rhin. He was at the vary back of thye cercal neer the left. ''I know that.'' Adriel said. Rhin gave he's son a blank look as Adriel put he's life on the line, and talked about falling. ''No point in talking on about it. You sould be descuseing what's going to be done for your family.'' Rhin mumbled. Adriel voice died. He tried to not think about that. And with he's wife not to be a part of this meeting, that meant he would't have to hear Talitha agreeing with him. Why can't she see that I'm the only one who can do this? Adriel asked himself.

''I have thought it over before.'' Adriel lied. Rhin did't look pleassed. ''You never wore a honeist man Adr, you know?'' Rhin stated nummly. Adriel scolled at him. God he hated wean that man called him Adr. “You are't doing a darn thing to help, so don't go all moral on me!” Adriel yelled. Rhin shook he's head disapprovingly. The rest of the men  (And some strong willed women.) watched on with a ever dying intrest. “And you are?” Rhin asked. “Because I think we'de be better off leaveing the clan regardless.'' Adriel throw he's hands in the chill air. Jumping up from the frozen ground so fast he hurt he's back. “Why did't you say that before!” Now Rhin seemed genuiney angry. “In that cround? I'm not killing myself over familly fudes.”

At that point Adriel was fed up with with father and turned back around to the house and left. Everyone glarded at Rhin. Thair gos thair fighter.

No one payed good attenshion to Webic, but he was sher that they wear. and thair for wanted to look as stowic as posable. Though he was't quite sher how to do that beond not looking sad. But Webic made serten that if anyone talked to him he'd speek clearly and keep a stiff upper lip.

Every few drains wear in the room. But the ones that wear (besides Webic.) mostly children and the cople of women watching them. Webic know he would'it be able to go to fighting itself, but that did't stop him from wanting to go to the last meeting between he's famliy. Webic's dad told him to watch out for he's mom, but he could tell he only said that to get him to stop protesting.

Long lound footsteps rang from room right next to the one the children and women wear in. Talitha jolted up, along with the other women. Just as Talitha stuld up right, Adriel stoped at the door. Talitha throne lighted up slightly. ''What are you doi-'' ''Thairs no point in being thair. Rhin is just herasing me.'' Adriel intrupted rarsh tone. Adriel brushed past Talitha and sat down near Webic. The other women in the room looked bourd and went back too talking too each other. ''I'm sorry about Rhin.'' Talitha said camly, yet roboticly. ''But you sould have stayed.'' Adriel did't look intrested. ''Ah, trust me, thair was no point in being thair.'' Talitha had a pretty good iden that he was lieing about that too some point. ''Do you not know what's at risk?'' Adriel roled he's eyes, making Talitha gasp, like the mother she is.

The women in the room watched in the same maner as Webic, afraid of any of the anger comeing from the parents being derected at them, despite neather of them giving a hint of doing so. Never dareing to speak up or making eye contact. Just watching in hesitashion.

''Are family dosen't make real plans! They just fight.'' Adriel yelled. ''Thair your family.'' Talitha said coldly. The other women (now along with the few children who wear old anuff to know what was happening.) looking oftend. ''Just trust me. I don't need to be thair.'' Said Adriel. Talitha throw her hands up. ''Your the only person that has to be at the meeting!'' She yelled. ''The meeting was't necessary.'' Adriel offerd flatly. That only made Talitha more angery. ''Hey, if you want me to go to back to the meeting, you can take my place.'' Then Adriel turned he's head away from her, to the left. ''Your just trying to get rid of me!'' Talitha cryed. But to Adriel's suprise she turned on her heal and stormed out of the room, then supsidly out the front door.

The women in the room slowly went back to talking to one aother. Thair children wear all ready asleep once more. Adriel rested he's head on the back back, wanting to go to bed but did't.

The hole time Webic sat next to he's dad. After Talitha left he kind of wanted to follow her, but he had something inporten to say to Adriel. Thought Webic feared that if he said anything Adriel would lash out at him. And he did't want to leave eather because what if Adriel hated that too.

So Webic stayed thair. Not speching or moveing. And Adriel did't have much intrest in doing eather or thoughts opeshins.

Chapter fourteen

Why was he's house so yelow? Penial asked this qeshtion before, but he always drawn a blank. Wean he made he's home long before he was marryed and a father, he had helped made the house along with some other men in the clan. Penial did't know to much in the way of house buliding at that time, so most of the proses was 'How about this doorway?' or 'Hay would coast a great deal less then fur ya know.' Just others asking him qestions and him ansering dumely.

But no know matter how much he tried Penial could't remember ever picking yelow for the living room, and bedroom. (which beside the storige room, was the hole house.) He did't hate the color, but he would much rather have Blue or gray.

Maybe it was the only color they had anuff of. After all most houses in Welnor did't have painted walls inside. Paint just was't too comen in the clan conpared to some other the clans in the north.

Really Penial would't care about that little detall if it was't because everyone was poniting it out all day long.

It was the night before the last day Penial would have till the fight. And wean he was asked, Penial allowed the rest of he's family to come to he's house to 'descuse' the fight. But as of now it was two and a hafe hours into the gathering and no one talked about it beond how stupied it was of the drains to send out that shrip of a man, or how they could't lose it. Penial could't help but worry that with talk like that he'd sherly die.

Something that did suprise him was that after about a hour no one seemed to pay great attenshion. Penial was glad, but still odd. Gith was't around. Penial did't see him come in, and no one said they sall him.

Just about everyone was in the small living room. It was so croded in thair that some started to pore into he's bedroom. The hole family came, even the children to Penial's shock. And he's house was stuffed. But no one dared to step outside. Did't want anymore neighbors getting suspishus.

Carefully Penial sliped out the front door. Just as he was about to shut the door someone called from inside. ''What are ya going out for?'' Penial sighed quitely, slowly opening the door to look at a young women, just about as old as he's daughter. ''Just walking. I'll be back.'' Penial replide and quickly shut the door before she could go on.

In all honestly, Penial was't properly dressed for a night like that. Snow had't fell in a three days, but none melted. At least all the streets and backyards wear sweept. But that did't help Penial in the least.

Penial walked off he's little yard and into the durt road. He made sher not too look back at the house, because if someone was watching him Penial did't want to make eye contact.

Thair odd mixmach really would have made anyone laugh, and she know it. The carige was small, cramped, and the once thick sheet was now a run down torn mess, that beard the elements far too long. But the houres that carryed it wear tall, clean, and healfy to a falt. All four of them had shinny black cotes. (Becuse they wear all related.) Just the fact that thair is four of them is a strang for a small carige and two riders. The two riders, Packa and Marnal, looked very different as well. Marnal looked underdressed. And Packa looked overdressed.

Penial steped out of the way of the carige that stormed past him. Right wean Penial thought he could walk back on the road, He heard the cloping of houre hoffs end. ''Why are we stoping?'' Penial heard off in the distence a young women's voice. ''Just give me a bet.'' A other voice said. Penial turned around and sall what looked like Marnal steping out of the carige and started walking torge him, waveing he's arm. ''Hoddy Penial!'' Marnal called. Penial throned. He barely rememberd the man's name, let alone what he said last time they talked. ''You need me?'' He asked as Marnal stoped five feet from him. ''Nothing much...'' Marnal mumbeled as he looked back to the carige wear Packa was walking out, holding her cape so it would't drag. ''Hey, Whos him?'' She asked Marnal as she leanded in. ''You remember that behemoth that came in a long time ago?'' Marnal asked her, turning away from Penial. ''Yes. You've told me a cople of times before.'' Packa said. Marnal stuck a finger out at Penial. ''He's that guy who killed it.'' He exsplained. ''Wow, that's ah...'' Packa sight drifted away from Penial. Trying not to ufend Marnal. ''It's vary inpressive. Wear you just more skilled then the other men, or are you just lucky?'' She asked. Penial emidity forgot he's qeshtion of why this Marnal guy wanted to talk to him, hers toke all he's attenshion. At lest Marnal did't seem to mind her saying Penial was more skilled. He's left leg slowly toke most of the waght of he's body after going deep in thought. ''… You could call me lucky. I'll ammet that I'm stronger then most men. But it really was all up to being in the right spot.'' Finally Penial ansered. Packa noded.

Pritty soon no one spoke. The longer they stayed thair, the more Packa slowly froze. Marnal throned. ''Lisen, I did't stop just to make small talk.'' Marnal started, loseing he's made up freindy voice. Penial felt relived. ''I know that your family dosen't like the drains. Whatever your oprinon is your business. But eather way, you sherly have noticed how they've been acting right?''

Penial stoped he's silly little relived feeling. Penial was't surprised per say, thought he probably did't apper deeply worryed about the qeshtion. Marnal toke he's palse as a way to add to he's qeshtion. ''Reclosive, is what I mean. Rarely see any of them in the day, never in the night.'' Packa watch beside Marnal. Her intvest with thair conversashion made her forget that she was frezeing. Penial regaived himself. “Can't say I have.” Penial said, sticking he's hands behind he's back. Marnal noded. “Fine. I really don't know that meny of them, just one guy and he's wife and kid.” Marnal glanced at Packa hen looked back. “Welp! Thanks for ansering my qeshtion. Just thought you would know. Every other person I asked did notice but did't know why.” Marnal turns around. “Agine, thanks.” He walked back to the carige, leaveing Packa and a relived Penial. Packa smiled ackwardly. “He's just worryed about he's friend Adriel. That man aparently spends just about every day with him, and it really bothers Marnal that he has't been around.”

Packa nore Marnal falled to notice Penial worry, but Packa could sher pick up on it now. She desided on not menshing that. “... Don't tell him I said that. Marnal liked being stoik.” Packa wincked before turning around and making to the carige. With a new pice of a puzel she'll salve to late.

Penial felt kind of slimey. He dreaded learning anything about the man he was about to kill. Tenicly he had't, other then he's not talking to he's friend. But even that was too much. Penial would much rather keep a blank image of Adriel. And lord know he regreted hearing that he and a wife kid. Penial wonderd if wean he said kid did he mean a baby, or was this ''kid'' a adult who Marnal just calls him or her that out of habbet. At lest Adriel had more then him.

Penial was to bissy thinking to notice that a cople of family members wear watching from the warm house.

Chapter fifthteen

the fight

It was the langth of thair hair that chout her attenshion. Resonmare noticed on a individual bacis, but all the sudden she just sall it. That more of the Drains had longer hair more then the Stones. And now that she sall it, she could't stop thinking about it.

If you did't know (which you most licky don't.) most of the west and south clans members have longer hair then the ones in the east and north, primarly the east. It's odd given the fact that the east is colder, But at some point fokes started seeing longer hair as uncivil. And for a long time no one in Welnor had long hair, but uvenshly women started leaveing thair hair at shorter langth. And up until resintly you may even see a young man with longer hair. But sill most don't have longer hair.

But Oursal did't start out as a east clan, it was a band of north and west clan members wanting to live and more free life. And after the band became a clan vary little outside ifluince from east cland came. So long hair was the norm.

The only reson Resonmare noticed was because she was distincet from thair last meeting with the stones and drains. thought she was't outrightly trying to do that. Resonmare just did't want to be a part of this, but being a rent ment doing things a clan leder did't want / could't do.

It was desided that the fight would happen inside the capital of Welnor, at night. Thought Redburn did't say what time to come, so most came right at sundown. Now at around eight thirdy-nine all in both famillys wear thair. But, of couse the children would be taken out before the fighting actually started.

Earllyer that day wooden planks wear lined up and niled together, making a fance around thirdy feet wide on all ends. On both ends of the asemble room wear dark colored stone whiched lined up on top of each other that made smoth seats, in some ways simaler to a roman coliseum.

The fance almost touched both ends, leaveing just around a foot and a hafe between them. Resomare wanted it to farther still, thinking of blood splater, or a member of the odence intervining. But Redburn layed it out so fighting space would't be a problum.

Redburn and Resonmare wear seated in two of the four bare throns, they wear quietly descuseing what to tell the rest of the clan wean one family left. And by they, I really mean Redburn was. Resonmare did care, but for once she could't focuces.

Thair was little time for qrieling between the familys. Almost near the back of the room was the drains all huddled close together. Not devising scems or gosiping about the stones, just talking to Adriel. Like a salor off to sea.

Pushed near the end of the groop was Webic. He was't sher wather he liked this or not. On one hand everyone was being touchy felly, but on the other he wanted to talk to he's dad. “She'd be so prode. I never thought you'd make it past a week. ” Rhin said. He sonded sensier, but Adriel just looked uncomfortable. Next to Webic was Talitha. She was wateing pashintly for Rhin to get done. “How much longer is he going to be?” Webic asked he's mother. “Not sertin honey.” Webic throned. “Your gonna tell me what happened after right? Please.” He asked once more.

Unlike the huddled group to the left, the stones wear mostly already seated, not all of couse but most. That included Penial, lisening to each polight coversashion. Both Penial and Adriel wear wearing the same armore, only difrince was size. Adriel's was still a tiny bet too small for him. But Penial did't have to think to much on fighting that drain guy. He read every David and Goliath story. Gith sat beside him, looking about ready to die. Abital of couse did't come, but she also did't leave. Abital clamed she was just staying to suport Gith if Penial lost, but he could't help but wonder if she just wanted to see what will happen.

“How much do you think the nebors will ask wean the drains leave?” A young woman wearing a long thin green dress. “Thay'll go mad! No dount about it.” A man standing next to her said. Penial suke he's head. “Redburn has a lot to cover up. Makes me think.” He did't alaberat on 'makes me think'. “Of coures. I hope they don't blame you.” Gith spoke quitely, but he got a feeling Penial did't like that by the fact that he looked away from Gith.

“If the drains leave, we'll say they left for Eitilt. Maybe even try and get some of them to say it.” Redburn wispered, as he leanded in beside Resonmare. “They'll be simpal, but about the stones.” He looked at Resonmare, who did't look back. Redburn throned. “Please Mare, I need your help.” “Ah?” Her head swarved in he's derectshion at the menshion of Mare. “They-The stones? It won't be easy you know.” Resonmare said. And Redburn huffed.

Without order the just about every drain left the cercle and sat down on the dark stone. Redburn had't told the familys to take the children away, so they stayed by thair parents acwardly. Now the only three in the circal wear Adriel, Talitha and Webic. “You don't have to stay. Regardlis of how vilont this will be, Women should't see men die.” Adriel said in a gental tone. “I know I don't have too. But this is inporten.” Talitha said. Adriel noded. “I figered you still want to stay.” Webic stuld a little ways off from the cople, he understuld the inporence of this conversashion, but that did't stop him from feeling acward. “Ah- Webic.” Adriel started. Webic looked back up at he's father, and smiled kindly. “Please don't try to get in wean the fight starts.” He exsplained. Webic noded, and he could fell Talitha eyes on him, Webic felt a rug to ask her to give them space, but that would be unfare and crul. “I promiss. Do well!” He chimed. Adriel smiled smugly. “It would be harder to not do well. It's just natral for me!” He bosted.

“Don't folks from the west are't allowed to go to the east without singed latter from the clan leder?” Gith asked. Not that meny wear talking derectly to Penial, so Gith had him all to himself. “I don't belive so. I think they only need it if thair leaveing for good.” Penial anserd. “Well that makes sence. Becuse thair was this one man who was runing a frunt stand at the market, and it was clear as day that he was from Bass.” Gith exsplained in a dule tone. Penial spred he's legs from the black stone to the ground a step down. He was mostly looking out at Redburn and Resonmare. Wondering if they wear about to start the fight.

As of right now, Redburn was standing up from the bare throne. He rested a arm on the right side and leaned over to Resonmare. “Say it's time.” Redburn said it like it was a qeshtion, thought in reality its just a saying. Resonmare palsed a minite. “It's been a good willy, so I'de say yes.” Resonmare stuld up sharply (Anuff to make Redburn thrust backwards.) And smothed out her blueish-gray dress. “Resonmare.” Redburn wisperd. She looked at him with a blank exspreshion, but unkown to him, Resonmare was exspeting bad news to some exstent. “I do apresheat your help, thoughtout this.”   He thanked. Resonmare's month stayed put. But her brows rised. Not in much of a surprised way, more kindly. “It's a job.” Redburn noded then looked out to the stones, then to the drains.

“Ok, lisen hear!” Redburn praticaly screemed. The stones and drains wear riped out of thair conversashions. The leder steped as close to the middle of the room as he could without toughing the wooden feance. “Any one thats younger then two decades leave the room, till the fights over.”

Emiditly all adults scrambled to get the children out of the room. Not meny of the stones had any kids thair. But the drains on the other hand, every singal younge adult, teen, kid and baby was thair. Thair parents wanted to let thair children see Adriel one last, even if that meant more women leaveing the room with them. So bye the time the stones wear all seated the drains wear still pushing thair kids out the door.

Suprisenly, only two women went out with all the children. Unuff older teens wear with them for parents to feel safe. In the crode of children being herded out the large room was Webic, waveing at he's father and mother. And with one final “Wish ya'll luck!” Webic left the room with a small smile as the large black oke door was shut behind them. Him takeing no notice of the deep frowns from the cople behind the bariar.

“Wate, Penial.” Gith said through the crode of talking that was mostly derected at Penial, he yelled back “Un hu!?” “I'm sorry.” If the sentince was any longer thair would be inposible to tell what he even said. Penial did't quite understand why he apoligised, but he did't want to ask infrount of the rest of the family. Jest trying to get past them and to  the frount was hard unuff.

Simalar to the last meeting, Penial and Adrel stuld a little ways off from The leder and the rent. Penial on the right, and Adrel to the left. “Hear are the rules!” Redburn yelled. “You'll both get the same light armor. And the same sorwd. Regardless of whos stronger.” Thair was a strong sence of direcshion in he's statement. And Adriel felt it. They wear wareing armore, but did not have any weponds. Redburn looked to Resonmare and she quickly walked out and back in. Along with two fine silver swords of diffrint sizes. And Resonmare went to the fighters and gave it to them. Adriel's worked just fine, not too heavly but not to light by any means. Thought Penial's was far small, But still biger then he's aponet.

“Both in the feance, now.” Redburn comanded. For a small moment the two made eye contated. But Penial quickly swung around and steped into the feance. After a moment of slight suprise, Adriel swung he's left leg into the feance and then the other. “Stand ten feet off from the other.” Redburn orderd once more. Sadly for both of the familys, Penial's back was to the left faceing the drains, and Adriel's was to the stones. Which made viewing harder for thoughts at the bottom...

Thair was a noticeable silince in the large room. No one looked over to Redburn and Resonmare. Not out of fear persay, but all wear captivated by the stand still. Adriel watched he's oponet in a way that meny would see at egerness, but he was more thoughtful then that, along with caution. Penial did't however feel any sence of danger. Beond the jument of he's family, and most inportenly what Gith will think of him af-

“Fight!”

The cry of the two crodes behind them. Penial stuld fermly while he's oponet jumped to him. Adriel ameditly went to a swing at Penial's uper body, which he blocked quickly with little effort. Makeing him far more confedint in he's ability to win. The first two attacks towrge Adriel wear jabs, towger he's stomic of all places, ware the armor was the strongist, along with the sholders. Repetedly Penial moved a large step to Adriel and jabed as the other walked- no ran backwards. Almost along the lines of jumping.

The drains kept thair jals seled, exsept for a gasp or a mufled wale hear and thair. But the stones on the other hand wear cearing on with pear exsitment. With the exsepshion of Gith with more of the demenor of the drains.

Adriel slid to right just as Penial toke a aouther large step. Leaveing he's side and back fully open. Adriel swiftly sliced a large cut midway on Peniall's right arm. Penial gasped and span around. Thankfully he was left handed, that would't stop the blood spreding across the cloth clothes. Adriel grined confindly.

None but the two sall the freash wond well. Scareing the stones in not knowing wear was the slice.

Agine Penial jabed at Adriel and he jumped backwards. Repeting the prosess meant by now they wear on the far left side of the feance. Adriel sall that he was aproceing the left end, and right as he atempted to side step to the right Penial stabed he's gut with the point of the silver sword.

The sword was desisghed for sliceing, not stabing. That being said, even with the light armor proteting him Adriel gasped for air as he was slamed to the stone floor, loseing what air he had. Adriel was left wesing and gasping similar too a fish. Penial swung the sword up (one hand.) over he's head. Adriel barely had time to react before it thrown done like a giliten. Adriel tried to scramble away but it was too late, and it cut throw the glove and skin on he's left hand. When he tried to craw away the end of the sword came out, riping the skin ferther.

Adriel roled out of Penial's way and jumped up moaning in pain. Thought fear only seat in wean he realized he left the silver sword behind.

Penial felt a great deal of gilt. He was on the verg of opolgiseing when he sall the sword below him. Once Adriel shook off some of the shock and pain of having your hand sliced open in the palm, he was surprised to see a sad Penial. Not that he exspected joy or pride exsatly, just not regret.

The palse lasted so long that both familys got confused and more worryed. Suddenly Adriel started walking backwards agine, wakeing up Penial and he ran after him. Much to Adriel's shame he span around and full on ran. Planing was beond Adriel at this point, so when they wear on the far right of the feance's ring, and Penial was right behind him, the only thing he could think to do was turn around. Penial was three feet away from Adriel. And on a sudden inpolse Penial swung he's sword too Adriel's head. Exspecting that move croched down and jumped back up, runing behind he's openet. Penial was nearly dumefonded by he's own faller so much so that by the time he went back to runing after Adriel agine he was almost back to the left end.

Penial may have shook it off but the rest of the stone wear conpletly loset. The drains watched like hawls. Now the two famliys started to become less all knowing of how this fight would turn out.

The fact that Adriel was't moveing made the hole thing worse. He just stuld thair holding he's regained sword, gasping. Penial started walking up hesitly. Adriel's breathing slowed down. The closer he got, the more tence they both got. Like cats in a way.

Despite the anticipation Penial jumped back when Adriel ran at him. Penial did't move anymore at Adriel attacked him, just trying to jab at him. That did only serve to give Adriel open thots, whick he gladlt toke. Scrashing him in the arms and making Penial deeply worryed. Then finely in a desperat act, Penial toke two large steps back and Adriel worrying he'd lose he's good opening jumped right up close. Penial in shock cut deep into Adriel's left arm. So when Adriel fell backwards he swung he's sword right in the air carelessly. And Penial screemed.

Adriel did't see or hear anything. Did't notice that fact that he was sqorming on the ground or that he's sword was thrown six feet away from him. What had he's attenshion was the deep thick cut right in the midule of he's arm. It hurt far to bad to toush, and leaveing it lyeing on stone was't helping eather.  The cut was't far anuff to pose any threat to he's elbow, still felt like riped paper. Adriel's breathing went to dye gasping to merly heavly. He grasped what damage he's body toke, and he could think agine.

Thair was a lot of noise around him. Adriel gut fell. Suprisenly standing up right with out eather of your arms is exstremly difficult, but he maniged and was able to stay upright hunching over. Adriel stayed quite as he watched Penial stumble backwards screeming.

Thair was a large slice that started on the end of Penial's neck that went up he's right side of he's face that diped and ended at he's eye. Unlike he's attacker, Penial was standing the hole time holding he's face. Adding to the screeming was the yelling from the other stones. Some angry, some in dispare.

The sincking feeling in Adriel's gut was riseing and he turned away. Then suddenly he coult a few words out of Penial's screems. “He needs help. Someone help him!” Adriel called out weakly.

At this point Redburn had seen anuff. The fight was so far away none of the details wear too clear, but it was oviuse to him Penial was defeted. Redburn stuld up. “Wate a minite.” Resonmare said timidly. (Vary much so unlike her.) “Neather of them are dead.” Redburn looked back down to her. “It's over. Weather or not he dies.” Redburn said dryly.

Adriel watched as Redburn got a few men from the stone family to take Penial away. Penial seemed to be astarical.

Redburn walked up to Adriel and looked him over sadly, then he looked out to the familys. “The drains have won!” He called out. Adriel could't see Penial anymore. Redburn leanded in close and wisperd. “I belive your suffering from blood loss.” That would have made Adriel laugh giving the fact that it was obvious, but pain made it hard to talk. He did however node lazely.

A great nomber of drains wear too shocked to make any noise. The ones could yelled, with pride. Thair wear however, a few that felt mixed it what just happened. But only one just smiled. A real happy smile. Unwear of what had really just happened. That sall her husband alive with no blood or gore. Talitha. And Adriel hafe smiled at he's hole family, trying to find her in it.

Chapter sixteen

the last chapter

Something about the day struck Abital as calm, despite the fact that nothing about it was. Right at the moment her and Gith wear at he's house in the living room with the front door wide open. Early that day Abital ardifinshly joked that a guard should't leave he's house open like that. The guard only noded. They wear picking out what to pack. Prier to now neather Abital or Gith felt any need to own a houre. Abital did't go anywear she could't walk and the clan provided houses for all the grards when they wear on duty. So with the last money Abital had (and some of Gith's) they boute two houres. Granted they wear two old mares that the sealer was trying too get rid of. But they could probably make it.

The rest of the family wear going right to Eitit. Because thair close. But the pair had plans to go to Bass. It would be a long long ride, but to them it was the promiss land. Of couse Abital dream to live in Arowana, but for now Bass seemed easyer. Becoming a member was faster then just about every other clan. Only of two clans to flat out not fight Oursal. And farming was good, so good that meny wear rick because of it. Maybe Gith will be a worker in one, and Abital could be a maid of some sort. Thair'd be no money by the time they got thair, still Abital sall this as a great new clan that would show her the western clan life, perpareing her for Arowana.

Hafe of thair family was already gone. Resonmare sall them off at the south-east end of Welmor (farethist end away from Oursal.) and she was still wateing for them and some others. It was inporton that they hurry.

Three weeks ago word qiuckly went throw Welnor that Penial had died in he's house late at night. The few family members that sall him say he looked peachful, like he was asleep. Most belived he had some kind of heart faller, or maybe a illness he did't tell anyone about until it was too late. Thought the former was popalaur, it was't too uncomen for a man of he's age to have them. He's funaral was short yet respetful. Meny of the family would't talk about him beond he's time in war. It was good way for someone to start a coversashion like 'Did you hear about Penial?'

“You'll take the food, right?” Gith asked as he titened he's bag with a thick brown string. Abital looked back to him sleepleshly. “Sertinly.” She walked to the front door holeding her large bags and saddle. “I'm gonna set up outside.” She teped out and slowly shut the door behind her. Leaveing Gith in a gray shade of light.

Thin cloues wear covering the sun, so light was tolable. If you looked up to the sun it would be covered well anuff that it would't hart your eyes. The two mares wear tyed to a mayle tree, and suprisenly one was siting down. Abital tyed the saddle around the mare and after it seemed the mare toke it well, she added the food bags.

Abital looked out at landspare around her. Off from the house was a little smashed down dirt road with a small weak grass strick in the middle. Snow was still strong on shaded parts or unwalked places, but the cold went down by then. And she smiled.

Abital give thanks that she stayed till the fight happened. Looking back on it, she could't see how life would go on without Gith. He really was like a little brother to her, it was't helped that Gith had no sisters, or a real main family left in the first place. They'd have a better chase together anyhow.

Abital heard the front door open six feet behind her, but she did't turn around. “Pretty out. Its a good day for rideing.” She said qiuetly. Sounds of a horse standing and clanking of metal. “Gith!” Abital yelled suddenly and span around. Cateing Gith's attenshion fully. “We're gonna ride all throw town right.” She orderd. Gith thought for a second with a sad look. “I don't think we got the time Abital. Resonmare is wateing. And I don't want her looking for us.” Abital walked closer to Gith with a playful smile that for now had nothing to hide. “This is the last time we'll ever see it. Sherlly your not that crul!” She cryed playfully. Gith stuld up from under the horse. “I just don't think we can. It'd take so much time.” “Not if we're fast.” “Really. And we should't talk to folks more then we have.” Abital throned for a moument, then pearked up. “We could go by the fishing creek! Bet you have't been thair in forever.” Gith opened he's mouth to speak but nothing came. Soon he looked timed yet pleasse with something- maybe god. “Not going to lie, that is tepting. We could try if it takes no longer then a hour.” Abital grined as she walked to her mare. Gith turned to he's so she could't see he's face.

As soon as they hoped on the horses they shrunch some under the weight. Which made them both cring. Abital signed as she looked back the house for anything they left. Gith spoke up. “Can't wate too see what Bass looks like. It's one of thoughts places you read about that you'de never think you'll see. I wonder if we'll blend in.” Abital started her horse and Gith followed right up with her. “You'll need to grow your hair out.” Soon they wear a good twenty feet away from the house. “Never. I'll just have to seem inproper. Besides its probably just a over exsashrain. About that long hair thing.” Now the houre seemed so far away. “Still look better then that hat they made you wear.” The house was almost out of sight. “That may be true. But that't just one of the prices you pay as a guard.” Top of the house was bare visable. “Being a guard is dangerus, I'm glad your not one anymore.” The house was gone, out of sight forever. “... Me too.”

The End